Maroons began a desperate search for a replacement centre on Sunday night but they might push winger Dane Gagai into the centres with Will Chambers and recall Brisbane winger Corey Oates.

Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans is reportedly set to replace Ben Hunt at halfback, ending three years in the Origin wilderness.

Despite his much criticised game two, Hunt may yet still feature as Queensland's bench utility after Ponga was ruled out for three to four weeks with a hamstring injury suffered in Newcastle's loss to Canterbury on Saturday.

Brisbane's Anthony Milford, Wests Tigers recruit Moses Mbye and Gold Coast No.7 Ash Taylor are other candidates to replace 20-year-old Ponga, who made one of the great Origin debuts in Queensland's game two defeat.

Brisbane forward Joe Ofahengaue is reportedly set to make his Origin debut off the bench.